A Warehouse on the East Coast | Still Later Sunday

[guardian_god]

His Strigoi minions were getting antsy, demanding Dimitri post them outside to await the guardians they didn't believe were going to show for a little girl and her boyfriend.

"They're coming,"

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[guardianborn]

Rose had almost been surprised that Hans had listened to her, let alone immediately started making plans for a rescue. She forgot sometimes that as important as Lissa was to her, the Dragomir Princess was just as important to Moroi society as a whole. For once, there’d be a rescue mission.

She liked Hans’ tactics - they were nearly as crazy as hers, and when she was named the leader of the extraction team, Rose startled. This wasn’t school anymore. They weren’t going to pat her on the head and tell her to let the grown ups work. She was a full-fledged guardian, and today all the responsibility of that role came crashing down. It didn’t matter that it felt too much - this was what she’d trained for her whole life, and as they came crashing into the Strigoi defenses, Rose had one focus: get Lissa and Christian out alive.

[guardian_god]

With four layers of security in place, Dimitri was as prepared as possible for the guardian assault. Listening to the sounds of the battle raging beyond the doors at the very heart of the warehouse, Dimitri paced, waiting for closer screams and that beautiful beast to break her way inside, proving once and for all that she alone was worthy of taking him out or of dying in the attempt.

And like magic, there she was, crashing through the doorway into the small room, a team of guardians flanking her. She battled her way across the room to where he stood surveying the fight, letting his minions do his dirty work for him, waiting for Rose to come for him. Come for Lissa.

"Rose. Still beautiful in battle." His voice carried clearly, ignoring the noise of the fighting around them. "Like an avenging angel come to deliver the justice of heaven."

[guardianborn]

They were fighting in insanely close quarters which gave the advantage to the stronger Strigoi, but Rose didn't care. She fought on autopilot, staking any Strigoi who came near her as she focused solely on Dimitri.

His quip made her roll her eyes. "Funny," she snarked. "That's actually why I came."

Rose changed her grip on her stake as she glanced towards where Lissa and Christian were. So far they were safe though the set up made her think of Spokane.

[guardian_god]

"Angels fall, Rose," Dimitri warned, arms crossed over his chest, waiting for her to reach him.

[guardianborn]

She snorted to cover the brief flare of pain she felt from Lissa. Christian was - speaking of Spokane, Christian was burning their bonds. She needed to keep Dimitri's attention away from them until they were free.

"Seriously? That's your line? God, your banter blows."

[guardian_god]

"I'm out of practice," Dimitri told her, jaw set, eyes free of humor.

[guardianborn]

"Thought that's what you had Jessi for," Rose snapped. Lissa was moving to untie Christian now, and Rose dodged around a guardian fighting a bald Strigoi. She'd nearly reached him. "So what's all this about? A lot of people are going to die cause you've got a weird flair for the dramatic."

[guardian_god]

"Jessi remains in Russia," Dimitri shared, tensing as she approached. He couldn't afford to underestimate Rose. "And these deaths do not matter. If they die, then they are obviously unworthy."

[guardianborn]

It reminded her of what he'd said in Russia - predator and prey. Rose didn't feel like being either.

No one was between her and Dimitri now. She didn't like not having much room to maneuver. He had the reach on her and his Strigoi strength made it so any blow she took was going to be a severe one.

Her pose mimicked his, feigning casualness while completely balanced and ready to attack. He wanted her to make the first move? Dimitri would have to wait for it.

[guardian_god]

Dimitri was willing to wait her out, aware he had the upper hand in this situation. "You do realize we could be in Russia right now, having a few laughs in each other's arms after a filling meal, and all of your little friends here would be safe. Not one of them would have died. But no. Were you always so selfish, Rose?"

[guardianborn]

"Better selfish than soulless," Rose replied even as the barb struck home. She had been selfish. If she hadn't diverted Kyle's attack just over a week ago, Dimitri would be dead, and Lissa and Christian would be safe. Guardians would still be alive. A lot of them.

"What about all those people I'd have to kill in Russia? Don't they count?"

[guardian_spare]

Christian hated to spoil their little discussion, but he'd spent most of it trying not to burn the hell out of Lissa's hands as they got free and now it seemed to be the time to use his chair to do some good.

By, you know, slamming the chair into a Strigoi who was fighting a guardian. Unfortunately, the Strigoi wasn't fazed and shrugged Christian off like a fly. Hitting the wall hurt more than Christian had expected.

[royal_spirit]

The Strigoi hadn't thought to check Lissa for weapons before they tied her up. Not that most Moroi would be carrying weapons, but she was thankful for the lapse as she pulled the stake that had been hidden under her clothes and ran to Christian's side.

Even after lessons from Grant and Serena, the weapon felt clumsy and too heavy in her hand, but Lissa knew if she could get close enough, she could use it.

For now, she was focused on making sure Christian wasn't badly hurt.

[guardianborn]

What the hell - Rose couldn't help glancing over as she saw Christian go flying across the room, and then Lissa carrying a stake as she ran after him. How the fuck had she gotten a stake?

"Stay back!" she yelled as she wrenched her attention back to Dimitri. "Stay out of the way!"

[guardian_god]

The Moroi and their little show were good entertainment, but Dimitri had a better focus. Though it was likely good for Rose that she chose to give him her attention the moment Dimitri lunged at her, reaching out to snag her by the neck.

[guardianborn]

Focus, Rose. She had to hope Christian and Lissa would be smart as she focused on finishing with Dimitri before he killed her.

She couldn't manage to completely dodge his blow, and Rose flew back across the floor, stumbling as she regained her feet.